Council approves multiple permits for The Heights project and clears park funding to support early occupancy

The Saint Paul City Council adopted a package of ordinance permits and related resolutions to accept infrastructure installed by the Saint Paul Port Authority at The Heights development site and authorized park grant funding for a new city park at the same site.

Planning staff explained that adjacent infrastructure — sewers, roadways, sidewalks, lighting and striping — must be accepted by the city before the first Habitat for Humanity residents can move into homes at The Heights. City staff asked the council to suspend rules to consider six ordinance permits that had not completed internal approvals in time for the meeting; the council approved the suspensions and then each permit by voice vote.

The permits approved covered roadway and sidewalk infrastructure (permit numbers ending in 101 and 102), roadway traffic lighting (301, 302, 303), traffic signing and striping (303) and storm sewer infrastructure (401). Councilmember Yang and planning staff highlighted that the first residence could be occupied as early as next week if approvals were finalized.

Councilmembers praised Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and city staff for advancing the project. Staff said the city prefers to avoid suspension items but supported the request to ensure families are not delayed from moving into completed homes.

Separately on the agenda, the council approved a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources outdoor recreation grant of $350,000 to the Department of Parks and Recreation to support a new city park at The Heights site; the council also adopted a Parks and Trails legacy funds acceptance for the city (agenda item listed $2,596,039) in a different agenda item.

All Heights-related permits and the DNR grant were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.